Winter '16 Newsletter | cuyvalchamber

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

The Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce is proud to bring to you our exceptional networking opportunities to take advantage of and add value to your business.

We begin with something new! The Chamber has agreed to partner with Sales and Marketing Executives of Cleveland to jointly sponsor morning educational events to be held on the second Tuesday of each month! Please watch your e-mails and the Newsletter for future announcements.

Please mark your Calendars for the April 20, 2016 luncheon....an iconoclastic approach to doing business "What the Beatles taught us about Growing a Business."

One of our signature events, and by far, one of our most well attended events every year is the State of the Schools address. Four Superintendents from Cuyahoga Heights, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Educational Service Center and Independence will update the business community on the current state of our school, a very important public interest, and how your hard-earned taxed dollars are being spent. Also, on a more generous note, we will also award college scholarships to meritorious students from our residential communities. Please mark your calendars for May 18, 2016 to be held at the Holiday Inn-Rockside Rd.

We are very excited to offer a new twist to the annual picnic..."A Taste of the Cuyahoga Valley" and a novel approach to a golf outing....a Putt-Putt course that anyone and everyone at any skill level can participate in! Consider it to be more of like a social function with a theme.

We will continue to offer additional networking opportunities throughout the year for you to meet new contacts, do business and have fun!

Thank you for considering the Chamber of Commerce as your primary resource for business development, we look forward to seeing you at one of our events.

Kind Regards,

Tom G Thacker II

THE CHAMBER FOCUS

WINTER 2016 E-Newsletter

Serving the Cuyahoga Valley Region, Rockside Corridor & the Communities of Brooklyn Heights, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence, Seven Hills, Valley View & Walton Hills

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

It's hard to believe that one year has gone by since I became your Executive Director.

It has been both rewarding and exhilarating working with the cities and villages of this chamber during this past year.

Among other things, it has been a year of getting to know and working with all the wonderful mayors and their teams, as well as the schools, school boards and their students.

As the year drew to a close, I had the opportunity to welcome many new members during our membership drive. I hope to see our growth continue in 2016.

Thank you to all the members and guests who attended and participated in our winter events. But, the ground hog did not see his shadow, so it is time to "Think Spring." We have many exciting events planned for the Chamber members.

We want to make sure that our communication with you is the most efficient. If you have not already signed up for Chamber Masters (our member-to-member communications software) please see below for a link and more details.

Thank you,

April Acuña, Executive Director

Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

The Chamber would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Susan Amoroso and Walthall CPAs, for their past service.

Susan has served as the treasurer for numerous years, as well as being an Executive Board member. As a volunteer position, she handled many aspects of our organization. She could always be counted on for event support from working the registration table to being a Platinum Sponsor for many of our events. Susan and Walthall CPAs have gone above and beyond for the Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce and we truly appreciate their service.

Thank you, Susan. You will be missed from the Board!

CHAMBER NEWS

Welcome new Board Members....

Kathy Futey, Certified Private Wealth Advisor®, CPWA®, works with private wealth clients with a focus on advanced financial planning for families. She serves as an advisor for families looking to organize and simplify their financial lives while seeking to preserve their lifestyle and their legacy. Kathy and her husband Tom live in Aurora, Ohio and have three children.

Jeremy Coyle, Time Warner Business Class, has worked in the communications sector over 15 years and has worked tirelessly to advocate for what's best for his customers. When Jeremy isn't out backpacking through the wilderness, he enjoys brewing beer, concerts, or taking in an Indians game. Jeremy lives in Akron, Ohio.

Bruce Felber is The Image Group's Corporate Brand Specialist, and an award-winning authority on direct mail and promotional campaigns. His projects for manufacturing, healthcare, and construction companies have won him countless honors from Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) and Direct Marketing Association (DMA) - and earned him an induction into the Ohio Promotional Professionals Association (OPPA) Hall of Fame. Bruce is a two-time past president of OPPA and past board director for PPAI.

When he's not practicing his craft, Bruce is likely sharing his knowledge with others. He's active within PPAI and OPPA, serving or having served in various offices and on numerous committees. He's past president of the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce and a founding member of Northeast Ohio Communication Advocates.

Independence Local Schools Seeks Members for Superintendent Business Advisory Council

Independence Local Schools is seeking members for its Superintendent Business Advisory Council. The mission of the council is to deepen the district's partnerships between its schools and business community to enhance both student and teacher learning for the 21st century and beyond. The committee meets twice a year from 8-9am and discusses ways the local business community can assist through providing career advice, internships, job shadowing, tutoring, sponsorship of programs and events, or volunteering in the classroom. The next meeting is Thursday, April 14. If you are interested in attending, please contact Charlene Paparizos at cpaparizos@independence.k12.oh.us.

Rep. Anielski to Host Military Resource Fair in Parma on April 15th

COLUMBUS-State Representative Marlene Anielski (R-Walton Hills) is joining with the Cuyahoga County Library in hosting a Military Resource Fair on Friday, April 15th.

The event taking place at the Parma Snow Branch of the Cuyahoga County Library will feature a variety of organizations geared towards helping those who have served our country, no matter what era, their spouses, and families. Throughout the day there will be agency representatives who can help military personnel or their families with benefit questions, employment opportunities, and many other military related areas. The event is completely free and open to the public. Free continental breakfast, haircuts, and additional offers will be available to those in attendance.

Date: Friday, April 15th

Time: 9am-12pm

Location: Parma Snow Branch of Cuyahoga County Library (2121 Snow Road Parma, OH 4413)

Bring: DD 214 or NGB 22 discharge papers. If discharge papers are not available, please bring the social security card of the military personnel.

"All of our military personnel have given personal sacrifices in leaving their loved ones to protect our freedoms," Rep. Anielski said. "It is my intention to make sure that all those who have served no matter in what capacity and no matter what era, are aware of the benefits and services available to them during the Military Resource Fair."

For more information, please contact Markee Osborne at (614)-644-6041 or Rep06@ohiohouse.gov

Chamber Master's

Have you signed up for Chamber Master's yet?? If not, please email info@cuyahogavalleychamber.com for your personalized login information. Your membership gives you exclusive access to specialized tools to promote your organization via the new online Member Information Center.

Member listing - update your listing to ensure everyone has access to complete up-to-date information

Register for Chamber events

Deals- offer coupons and special deals; fellow members may well be your best customers

Job postings - submit your own job openings.

Advertise events - add your events to our online event calendar displayed with quick links; use these links to share in your social media, text to mobile devices, add to calendar, or email to others.

Network with other members - check out other member listings, jobs, deals.

RECAP OF WINTER EVENTS

Business Person of the Year

Some of the excitement is still in the air following the recognition of Eileen Hawkins as the Business Person of the Year at this year's luncheon on March 2nd.

Ninety people attended the luncheon honoring Eileen at which Mike Gorman, Senior Vice President of the Cuyahoga Valley Chamber of Commerce was the platinum Sponsor, and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center was a table sponsor for the Eileen Hawkins table.

Eileen Hawkins' tireless work as a Chamber board member, and ultimately the president of, The Autism Society of Greater Cleveland is mind boggling. Under her leadership the Autism Society coordinated support services for those affected by autism spectrum disorders, and worked as an advocate with local government to support legislation aimed at improving the quality of life of those with autism, as well as other developmental disabilities. This enumerates only two of her many accomplishments while at the helm of the Autism Society. Eileen has been a Parent Mentor for the Educational Service Center of Cuyahoga County; Independence Local Schools & Cuyahoga Heights School Districts where she helped families through the special education process, and made sure that they understood their rights and responsibilities in special education. And that, folks, is only the tip of the iceberg.

Although many people wanted to speak and honor Eileen at this special event, we had to limit the speeches to a welcome by Tom G. Thacker II, President of the Cuyahoga Valley Chamber, Kay AuWerter, Programming Chair and Wealth Advisor at Stratos Wealth Partners, Charlene Paparizos, Chamber Executive Board Member and President of CMP Communications, Elena Paparizos, a Senior at Independence High School and Volunteer at the Autism Society, and Sandy McCullough, Director of Pupil Services, Independence Local Schools and Jim Wotowiec, Chairman of the Autism Society. Eileen also received proclamations from Josette Burns, from Ohio Secretary of State's Office, Jon A. Husted; State Representative Marlene Anielski; Nick Ciofani, from Congressman David Joyce's office; and Mayor Anthony Togliatti, of the City of Independence.

We take great pleasure in saying, "Congratulations Eileen, we can't wait to see what wonderful things you will be doing for our community in the future."

2016 Republican National Convention Update Luncheon

In January more than 75 attendees were privileged to hear Mike Mulhall speak about the upcoming RNC (Republican National Convention) as it relates to changes and growth in downtown Cleveland as well as the Cuyahoga Valley area. Mike is the VP of Partnerships for Destination Cleveland.

Mike recapped for us the fascinating way in which Cleveland won the bid for the RNC. He also touched on the estimated traffic for the Cuyahoga Region in the month of July.

Mike concluded with recommending that companies and individuals follow the Facebook page to follow for ongoing updates - https://www.facebook.com/2016cle.

Share-A-Christmas

The Share-A-Christmas joint venture with the Holiday Inn Cleveland South in December was a success.

There were more than 75 people who joined the festivities which included hors d'oeuvres, assorted desserts, and concluded with a live band.

A popular and lucrative event was the sale of lottery tickets for the themed holiday lottery trees. We successfully raise about $400.00 for the Cornerstone of Hope, a local charity. But, we could not have done it without the sponsorship of Plant Masters LLC.

State of the Cuyahoga Valley Region

On November 18th, there were almost 150 people at the 2015 Annual State of the Cuyahoga Valley Region Annual Luncheon last year.

Mayor Michael Procuk of the Village of Brooklyn Heights was very proud to speak about the continued economic growth in a village that has the lowest tax rates in the county.

The City of Independence is alive and doing well through its mayoral transition. Mayor Greg Kurtz gave his final updates on the future infrastructure and new construction projects in the city which he has led for the past 25 years. He took this opportunity to introduce us to Independence's new mayor, Anthony Togliatti. We welcome you to the Chamber, Mayor Togliatti.

Mayor Jerry Piasecki of the Village of Valley View spoke of the great economic growth occurring in his village. He also enumerated for us the many completed, as well as upcoming infrastructure projects. The mayor used this moment to touch on the high excellent standard of education in the Cuyahoga Heights school system. Mayor Piasecki concluded with praising the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Mayor Kevin Hurst of the Village of Walton Hills couldn't have been more excited when he told us about the plans for the new Ford plant and the expansion plans for NPK. His talk was highlighted by outstanding aerial drone photos of the Ford plant as well as the entire Village of Walton Hills.

It was refreshing to hear all of the mayors speak about the outstanding relationships they maintain with each of their sister communities.

It was unfortunate that Mayor Jack Bacci of the Village of Cuyahoga Heights and Mayor Richard Dell'Aquila of the City of Seven Hills were unable to attend this year. We hope to see them at November's luncheon.